Technology events often develop a theme, even when that is not necessarily their intention. Sometimes of course it is, with dedicated new areas, but on other occasions it is merely coincidental or a sign of the times. Both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality have had these ‘moments in the sun’, as it were, over the last couple of years. As has technologies such as autonomous vehicles (self-driving cars) and the latest generations of artificial intelligence and robotics.
At this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show, better known as CES, there are a number revolutionary technologies on display. Some small, some large. Some that will affect big businesses alone and some that could drastically impact your everyday life, one way or the other. In the field of immersive technology we at VRFocus have noticed an interesting trend this year – at least as far as VR and AR are concerned – and that is that there is an awful lot of haptics related submissions and announcements and this year’s event.
Adding to the existing haptics related announcements coming out of the trade show cones ab update from Tokyo based consumer electronics manufacturer Cerevo, Inc. The manufacturers of Taclim, which VRFocus first reported on just under a year ago, but was in fact revealed at last year’s CES event. Taclim is a system which combines a set of shoes and gloves that are capable of detecting user movements as inputs and translates them into in VR actions.
Now for CES 2018, Cerevo have announced that following feedback gathered from throughout 2017, they have a new prototype to showcase at the event, which the company describes as “almost-final”. The gloves have been replaced with what Cerevo terms Taclim Modules, essentially trackable sensors that can be attached to whatever the user requires be, items of their own ownership or added to other technology products.
“The Taclim Module is divided into a communication unit equipped with an acceleration sensor and a tactile unit, it is also possible to use multiple units together. In addition to having a Taclim Module in each hand, attaching it to a waist, back, weapons, armor, tools, etc., you can greatly enhance tactile feedback sensations over a players’ whole body.” Cerevo explains. “The communication unit and the tactile unit are connected by a cable, and you can extend the length of the cable by replacing it with a commercially available extension cable. In addition, GPIO terminals are available for connection with external sensors, making it possible to use Taclim by utilizing information acquired from GPIO compatible switches and sensors.”
It’s not just the gloves that have had a redesign, the shoes too have gotten something of an overhaul both in the design and the accuracy of the product.
At CES 2018, Cerevo will be showing off the redesigned hardware at their booth, along with a form of gun controller which has a built-in Taclim Module. Users will be able to try this out in Taclim Block, a new videogame developed by fellow Japanese company Synamon currently at the Alpha stage. Which – as the name might well indicate – has been created specifically for the Taclim VR system.
Specifications (subject to change during development) have been provided and you can find these below. Along with a number of screenshots. VRFocus will be bringing you more news throughout CES 2018. Be sure to check back regularly for the latest.
Taclim Shoes
Dimensions: W300-360 x D100 x H140mm
Weight: 950g
Sensors: 9-axis sensor (acceleration, gyroscope, geomagnetism) / Pressure sensor / Walking detection sensor/ Tactile motor
Connectivity
Wireless: Wi-Fi (5GHz/2.4GHz)
Wired: Ethernet (10BASE-T/100BASE-TX)
Charging Time: Approx. 3.5 hours
Operating Time: Approx. 5 hours
Taclim Module
Communication Unit
Dimensions: W58×D32×H60.5mm
Weight: 150g
Sensors: 9-axis sensor (acceleration, gyroscope, geomagnetism)
Connectivity
Wireless: Wi-Fi (5GHz/2.4GHz)
Charging Time: Approx. 3 hours
Operating Time: Approx. 4 hours
Tactile Unit
Dimensions: W27 x D22 x H39mm
Weight: 25g
Sensors: Tactile motor
Connectivity
Wireless: Wi-Fi (5GHz/2.4GHz)
via Mint VR